Nepal’s acting Prime Minister Sushila Karki formally takes office

By Berk Kutay Gokmen

ISTANBUL (AA) - Sushila Karki officially assumed office as Nepal’s prime minister on Sunday, two days after her appointment to lead the interim government, multiple news reports in the local media confirmed.

Karki, the country's first woman premier who previously served as chief justice, was sworn in on Friday by President Ramchandra Paudel in response to protesters’ demands after the ousting of the elected government of KP Sharma Oli.

She began her official duties from the Home Ministry building in Singha Durbar, as the prime minister’s office had been relocated there after the previous building was set on fire during the protests.

Among her early decisions was providing assistance to victims of last week’s protests. Chief Secretary Eknarayan Aryal said the government recognized those killed in the "Gen Z" movement as martyrs, with each affected family receiving financial support.

Aryal said hospitals had also been instructed to offer free of charge medical treatment to the injured.

At least 51 people were killed and many others injured in the mass protests this week triggered by a ban on social media platforms. The protests evolved into a broader movement against alleged corruption and nepotism among the political elite, with demonstrators targeting residences, the Supreme Court, and other public buildings.